Hohenwerfen Castle: Perched Majestically in Austria

Castles are typically perched strategically atop the highest point of an area, in order to view and defend all that lies beneath. Hohenwerfen Castle was built on top of a 500-foot rock to afford panoramic views of the Salzach Valley below. Hohenwerfen’s turrets, bridges, fortification wall, and more are clearly visible in this aerial view. saiko3p/Shutterstock

In the United States, a structure that is 300, or even 200, years old is considered extremely aged. Yet in Europe, 18th- and 19th-century construction seems young, considering the age of some revered sites.

The circa 15th-century medieval fortress known as Hohenwerfen Castle overlooks the town of Werfen, Austria, 25 miles south of Saltzburg. The castle was designed as a traditional stronghold with outlying structures for housing, a bridge, a church, and even a crypt.

Romanesque and Gothic are the primary styles demonstrated in the castle; these are the main types of architecture established around the mid-11th century. Tall watchtowers, arches, thick walls, and steep roof pitches are some Romanesque features. Subsequent Gothic architecture added ornate elements as well as cavernous and vaulted interior spaces, similar to many European cathedrals built around the same period.

With shutters decorated with the triband red, white, red flag of Austria, Hohenwerfen Castle encloses a courtyard that features stonework, gardens, walking paths, and a view of the snow-covered Berchtesgaden Alps that seemingly rises from the castle’s rooftop. Diego Delso/CC BY-SA 4.0

The battlements at Hohenwerfen Castle remind visitors that 900 years ago the structure’s main purpose was as a military base. During this time, the structure housed soldiers who protected the country’s churchmen and nobles. Heavy cannons encased in alcoves made of impenetrable, thick walls provide a glimpse of the fortification’s defenses. trabantos/Shutterstock

Classical pediments, columns, cornices, capitals, and dentil molding are carved into the wood paneling and tray ceiling in some of the more lavish castle rooms used for meetings and entertaining. The door is stenciled with various motifs as well as a trompe l’oeil scene (a 3D image on a flat, or 2D, surface). trabantos/Shutterstock

A circular, domed bell tower holds its huge bell, once used to alert residents in the Werfen village below about possible dangers and attacks. The bell was cast in 1568 in Innsbruck by Hans Christoph Löffler, and it's rung today during church holy days. Housed in a shake-shingle-roof enclosure, the nearly 10,000-pound bronze bell can be heard throughout the surrounding landscape. Serge Yatunin/Shutterstock

The backside of the castle affords a partial look at the stone rampart, which has a rectangular, flatter roof as well as a pointed tower roof. These areas provided storage space for food, supplies, equipment, and other needed resources. Sergey Fedoskin/Shutterstock

The Berchtesgaden Alps and Tennengebirge Mountain Range can be seen from many areas around Hohenwerfen Castle, including from the gardens. This panoramic photograph shows pathways to the backside of the fortress and a clear view of the stunning vista. trabantos/Shutterstock

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